Hope concert cancelled after Greek choir refuses to sing with Jews

A "Concert for Hope and Unity" planned to support families affected by the Bondi terror attack has been cancelled after members of a Greek choir objected to performing with a Jewish choir.

The benefit concert, scheduled for June, was to feature the Australian Hellenic Choir and the Sydney Jewish Choral Society in a performance of "The Ballad of Mauthausen,” which tells the story of a romance between Greek and Jewish prisoners at the Nazi concentration camp. All proceeds were to go to the families of Bondi victims.

But more than half the 50 members of the Australian Hellenic Choir opposed participation in event, many saying they “politically objected” to performing with the Jewish choir, and others expressing fears of a possible attack.

Australian Hellenic Choir president James Tsolakis told The Australian that he was taken aback by the level of opposition among members.

“There’s a bit of antisemitism in the Greek community; I didn’t realise the extent of it,” he said. "Unfortunately, we have a lot of people in the community blaming the Jewish community for what’s happening in Israel, Palestine … that’s not correct. You want to hate Netanyahu? Hate Netanyahu, but what have the Jewish people done to you? The whole antisemitism thing has got to be wound back.

“This is all about bringing people together using music. I initiated it but I’ve got no choice but to shut it down. I’m extremely disappointed and pretty upset.”

The concert had secured $15,000 in NSW government funding and organisers were expecting a capacity audience.

“The music prepared was beautiful, songs of love and peace and harmony,” Tsolakis said.